I’ve been perusing the LA Metro map to see what places I can get to by foot so I can cut down on my driving. I’ve generally been satisfied with service on the metro, especially when I’ve taken flights out of LAX or went to Dodger stadium, utilizing the shuttle they had towards to the end of last season.
So a few questions:
Red Line
To get to the Original Tommy’s on Beverly & Rampart, would it be better to get off on Vermont/Beverly station, Wilshire/Vermont, or Westlake/Macarther Park? They are all about 1.1-1.2 miles away from Tommy’s but I think one of them has a hill and would make it inconvenient to go up/down, especially after a mean dose of chili.
Pershing Square and Civic Center are spitting distance from everything in downtown – anything of interest you recommend I check out, especially with a date?
obligatory excited greetings to a particular feline made of gemstone
Gold Line
For seeing Colorado Blvd or Old Town Pasadena, which station would be better to step off of: Del Mar or Memorial Park station?
Red Line 3: Los Angeles Public Library, Diamond District, kind of the Fashion District, Museum of Modern Art, Walt Disney Theatre (the swoopy looking metal building). You can get off and take the shuttle to Little Tokyo, though. This is actually one of the stops I use for work. Just so you know, this is pretty much the business district. Maybe some other downtown types can step up with other attractions in the area.
Gold Line: either one will do. Memorial Park is probably a little better but you’re basically getting Old Town from 2 different directions. I’d say Mem Park is a little closer to Colorado Blvd. If you’re using Del Mar, take a right out of the station and walk up a couple of blocks. For Memorial Park, walk straight down Raymond to Colorado.
For other attractions-Gold Line also has Chinatown as a stop. Red Line has Hollywood.
The neighborhood is a little sketchy, but the Watts Towers are a phenomenal sight. It’s near the 103rd Street station on the Blue Line. Check the schedule before you visit, as it is possible to sign up for a guided tour on certain days.
Takes you to Hollywood Blvd. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Chinese Theatre, all the touristy crap you stuff in your bags, bums and hookers, The Palace Theatre…
Check out these downtownLA walking tours. At the Union Station end of the Red Line, you can wander through Olvera Street, and have a margarita at La Golondrina. In the Civic Center area, there’s the LA Cathedral and the Disney Concert Hall. At the Disney Hall, you can do a self-guided tour before a certain time of the day (noon? check their website). From Pershing Square, I’d go to Grand Central Market, but I’d avoid Skid Row. I’d probably also avoid the Toy District, but might go to the Fashion District or the Jewelry District.
Agreed. I usually get off at Memorial Park. And if it’s morning, do yourself a favor: get off at Memorial Park, go a block north to Walnut, and on the north side of the street, between Raymond and Marengo, is Marston’s. One of the best brunches in town. If it’s later in the day, have a glass of wine at the Crepe Vine, in Old Town.
Also, near the Memorial Park station on the Gold Line is the Norton Simon Museum which is a pretty great art museum.
Another place I’ve been meaning to try to go to is the Huntington Library which is a pretty good hike (looks like over a mile) from the Allen station on the Gold Line. It’s been 35 years since I’ve been there, but it was pretty great as I remember it. There’s a new Chinese garden there that looks spectacular from what I can tell. I figure if you are willing to hike a mile for a Tommy’s Hamburger, you could probably make this journey (Hell, I’d be happy to hike a mile for a Tommy’s Double Cheeseburger!).